Here is the Cody origin story that I remember hearing..
In the early days of the Aztec empire, during the reign of Xolotl, the king ordered the construction of a calendar device the likes of which had never been seen. It would be built with the most intricately carved gears and levers, and in the right hands would be capable not simply of predicting the seasons but of predicting the end of time itself. The entire kingdom was devoted to the construction of this mechanical calendar for over a decade, carved into the side of a mountain, and gilded in gold. When it was finally unveiled to the king, he was well pleased. "There is only one thing" said the chief engineer. "You see in the center there, that small hole. A clever little bird has built his home there, and refuses to leave." The king squinted his eyes and saw some feint movement in the hole. "The bird demands a small token of payment each day", continued the engineer, "and the men are superstitious -- they insist that the bird must be paid or time will end." The king was not pleased. He walked over to the hole and peered inside, hearing some small commotion there. "Bird!" he cried, "Bird come out of there! This is not the place for you. I am the king of this entire land, and if you do not leave I shall have you for my breakfast!" A shuffling sound could be heard from within the hole but there was no answer. "BIRD!" bellowed the king, "COME OUT OF THERE!" Suddenly the bird appeared, with a gold coin in its beak. It tilted its head and looked at the king. The king looked back. They stayed that way looking at one another for many minutes. Then slowly the king extended his hand to the bird, who promptly dropped the gold coin in the king's hand and then turned around and scuttled back into the hole. The king held the sparkling coin up to his eye and studied it for a great long while, and then slowly turned to his chief engineer and handed him the gold coin and spoke -- "The bird shall not be moved. Carve his countenance in the calendar above the hole and command the villagers to feed him coins whenever he should appear. And should any of you require further payment for your services, come get it from the bird." Then the king leaned in for emphasis.. "But do not ask for too much, for if the bird grows displeased and leaves, time shall end."
I'm sure there are other variations on this fable of cody.. if you've heard any that differ from mine please tell us how your version is different..
